THE SSGF/LRGF PROGRAMS ACCOMPLISHES A PUBLIC PURPOSE OF SUPPORT BY ENCOURAGING AND STIMULATING INTEREST BY TALENTED GRADUATE STUDENTS TO PURSUE A COURSE OF STUDY AND RESEARCH IN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINES SUPPORTIVE OF STEWARDSHIP SCIENCE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AND BY MAKING THE EXPERTISE AND KNOWLEDGE BASE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. THE SSGF/LRGF PROGRAMS PROVIDE INCENTIVES FOR STUDENTS WHO ARE WELL QUALIFIED AND HAVE OUTSTANDING UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE RECORDS TO CONTINUE THEIR STUDIES IN GRADUATE SCHOOL AND TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE CAREERS IN STEWARDSHIP SCIENCE, WHICH IS CONSIDERED TO SERVE THE PUBLIC AT LARGE. THE COMBINATION OF GRADUATE STUDY AND RESEARCH AT ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS AND PRACTICAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AT NNSA FACILITIES ENSURES THAT THE SSGF/LRGF PROGRAMS PRODUCE INDIVIDUALS CAPABLE OF MAKING SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO STEWARDSHIP SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING THAT IS BENEFICIAL TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.